Computing

Introduction

Teaching & Learning

The Computing department recognises the importance of authentic experiences to enhance learning, putting the use of Computing into context. This year we visited Hastings as an opportunity to capture video and photographic material for creative, multimedia units, including a visit to the aquarium, caves and castle. The teaching approach is to develop independent learners, E-safe learners with essential knowledge and transferrable skills that will support their learning in other subjects and in coping with a world in which digital “connectivity” is increasingly vital.

Facilities

The Computing block hosts five computer suites that are equipped with interactive whiteboards. All students have their own email and E-locker accounts to support homework and coursework submission and feedback across all subjects. They also have full remote access to the College network from home. Students have access to video, sound and image editing software as well as Microsoft Office. Other programs used include Scratch, Dreamweaver, Adobe Photoshop CS3, Macromedia suite, Serif applications, Monkeyjam (stop go animation) as well as a range of subject specific software. All computers are networked with Internet access and private home drives. Students have a wealth of digital support materials available to allow them to progress independently in Computing related lessons. This includes video, sound and text based learning materials.

There is also College wide Wi-Fi access to enable students to connect to the network and the internet whilst using their own devices in any lesson.

Curriculum

The department welcomes all students for after school sessions including coursework catch up sessions and the App club for students to create their own Android apps using Google App inventor.

All of our courses are designed to use real life scenarios to engage students’ interest. Students are taught to become discerning users of Computing and to be able to recognise information that has been enhanced or distorted.

Revision

The course information below is only an outline of course content / learning objectives and should NOT be used as a guide to the topics for revision purposes. Detailed guidance for revision for this subject can be found as follows:

A level / Level 3 courses will be assessed using the topic content of Years 12 & 13 – please click here for detailed revision advice

Year

Course & Topics covered

Level

Contact for more detail

7

In house course, covering:

Induction to the College Network

Basic E-Safety – Computer crime and cyber security, to understand the Acts concerning computer use and how to adhere to the governing laws. To be able to identify fraudulent emails and how to protect online identity.

Digital Literacy – How to search the internet effectively

Digital Literacy – assessing the reliability of internet based information

Networks –to understand how the internet is different from the world wide web, understand different network topologies, basic principles of packet switching, to understand why some transmissions are encrypted.